16. Obituary: Revd K. C. Mathew

Bishop Dr. B. S. Devamoni of the Diocese of Dornakal, a former student of Achen, “His teaching was exceptionally good . . . he was an exemplary Professor . . . It was a tremendous joy to be with him in his classes, or joining in Volley Ball court for playing together. He made his teaching very interesting, allowing students to participate in a free and friendly atmosphere. His pastoral care of the students and commitment to the church impressed me most” (pp 50-51 of the festschrift in honour of Achen entitled In the Master’s Service . . .).

As a person Achen was adaptable and self-disciplined. He was very sincere and transparent. One does not find a tint of hypocrisy in him in his personal dealings and relationships. Lucidity and straightforward utterance marked his style. He cared for the well-being and betterment of all who came across him especially his students and others who were in some way associated with him. The story of his last days could be narrated as follows: It was early morning on 10th August that Achen had a fall from his bed quite unconsciously. After three days in the evening as Achen was about to return to his room after dinner, he had another fall. It was very difficult for Achen to walk and there was severe pain. Xrays found that there was a minor fracture in his hip, and rest was prescribed and his movements were restricted to a wheel chair. There were no other health problems. On the 23rd August around 9.45 p m, his death occurred all of a sudden, quite unexpectedly.

MVA Achen’s son Dr. George Abraham arrived from Boston in the US on the 26th morning Already the Mar Thoma Sabha Secretary Revd K G Joseph (a student of MVA achen) under the direction of His Grace the Metropolitan Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan had announced the details of the funeral and everything took place as scheduled in the most benefitting manner on Friday the 27th August. Along with our Metropolitan, the Suffragan Metropolitan Joseph Mar Barnabas, and the Episcopas namely Thomas Mar Timotheos, Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos, Dr. Gregorios Mar Stephanos gave leadership to the services. The Vicar Generals of our church and a large number of Achens participated following the COVID protocol. Several people from various spheres including Bishop Thomas K. Oommen of the CSI Church paid homage and spoke words of condolences. Towards the close of the service Dr. George Abraham spoke his eulogy and placed words of appreciation to one and all for their services on behalf of Achen’s family. The DSMC could conduct the live streaming very well. All these resulted in the smooth conduct of the entire funeral service giving glory to our Lord and Master, the Almighty God. May the name of the Lord be glorified.

Revd Dr. Abraham Philip, Kottayam

Obituary Tribute

The man sent by God: Revd K. C. Mathew (1929-2021)

[The following is a translation of an obituary written by Prof. Kozhuvalloor M. K. Cheriyan (Former Principal, Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara) and it was first published in the journal ‘New Vision for a Changing world’. It is translated by Prof. Elias Abraham, Baltimore, USA and Dr. Cherian Samuel, Virgnia, USA. The editorial board of the FOCUS is grateful to them.]

“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John (John 1:6)”. If we replace “John” with “K. C. Mathew”, in the verse, the secret of Achen's success in various facets of life will be revealed. He had an amazing personality, fully and continually tuned to God's voice in numerous mission fields, which made the efforts greatly successful.

In 1964, Bishop M. M. John Thirumeni, Manager of CMS College, Kottayam, asked K. C. Mathew Achen, who was well known through the CSI Youth Movement, and working diligently at the College as a Physics lecturer and the College chaplain, to take charge as the principal of the new Junior College at Mavelikara, affiliated to Kerala University. Before responding to M. M. John Thirumeni, Achen came to see the place for the proposed college for himself at Kallumala, located on the East side of Mavelikara.

Standing in the shade of a big old leafy jackfruit tree, not far from the CSI Church and the LP School, Achen prayed. God was entrusting Achen with a great and glorious mission, just like He had mandated Moses from the burning bush on Mount Horeb. “I will be with you”.

God had told Moses. Achen received the same message from God, standing prayerfully under the jackfruit tree. K. C. Mathew Achen surrendered to the will of God and decided to accept the great leadership responsibility.

There is a remarkable coincidence that should be noted here. The land for the proposed college, full of stone pits and cultivated with tapioca, was bought by Revd Joseph Peet, the famous Anglican Missionary. In 1938, Rev. Joseph Peet started living in Mavelikara for mission work and built Christ Church, using the cut stones and soil from Kallumala. Now, after nearly one hundred and twenty years later, an educational institution was emerging from the same soil filled with sone pits! This was never a coincidence, but undoubtedly God's choice.

The Manager was responsible for paying the salaries to the teachers and the non-teaching staff, and therefore the principal had to find the money. Without ever seeking donations for the admission of students or the appointments of staff, the employees received their salaries every month. On several occasions, money had to be borrowed from generous friends. Achen always stood strongly against seeking donations and other illicit payments throughout his tenure.

The Principal Achen was also a science teacher, but took keen interest in humanities and literature. As a result, Bishop Moore College was able to celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Rev. George Mathan as an allKerala event in 1969. Revd George Mathan is the author of 'Malayazhmayude Vyakaranam', the very first Malayalam grammar book in Malayalam. He was proficient in various languages such as English, Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, Sanskrit, Latin, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. As a priest, he ministered in Church Missionary Society (CMS) parishes like Mavelikara, Mallappally, Thiruvalla and Thalavadi. His tomb is located in the courtyard of the Kunthirikkal, Thalavadi, CSI Church.

Mavelikara witnessed the grand sesquicentennial birth celebrations of Revd George Mathan, with a large number of delegates from different parts of Kerala, with hospitality provided for all. The distinguished leaders for the celebrations were Cardinal Joseph Parekkattil, Bishop M. M. John, Mathews Mar Coorilos Metropolitan, Dr. Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Dr. P. K. Narayana Pillai, Prof. Sukumar Azhikode, Sooranad Kunjan Pillai, E. M. Kovoor, P. S. George, Fr. Mathew Moozhiyil, D. C. Kizhakkemuri, Puthencavu Mathen Tharakan, Dr. K. M. George and Prof. K. M. Tharakan. I served as the convener of the committee.

The platform built for the meeting in front of the college still remains as a monument of the great event. The echo of the waves of the celebration reverberated all over Kerala, though Bishop Moore College was only five years old! Among the Junior Colleges that started in 1964, Bishop Moore College remains unique with an exceptional stature. K. C. Mathew Achen's exemplary leadership will be remembered forever.

After 25 years of meritorious service, K. C. Mathew Achen, while bidding farewell to the College, might have heard the soft whispers, “. . . Good and faithful servant! I will put you in charge of many things.” As Achen used to say: “The reward of work is more work. “God heard the prayers and supplications of many destitute people, who were longing for K. C. Mathew Achen’s leadership. The result was Achen taking charge as the Secretary of the Manganam Agathi Mandiram. His first action was to change its name. The board now read, 'Mandiram,' instead of 'Agathi Mandiram.' The inmates felt that they now had a master to take care of them. The change was not only about the board, but also in everything else- in food, clothes, care and love, etc. Words and deeds were being harmonized. The poetic verse, 'We are one family', became true for those impoverished people. They used to get food only two times a day. Now they got plenty of food, good rooms to live, better clothes, and in addition, and the atmosphere was replete with prayers and songs.

Achen made it a point to understand the issues faced by the inmates and was very keen to find solutions without delays. New rooms with sufficient air circulation, a clean dining hall, and a well- equipped kitchen were constructed. Achen also showed great interest in the activities of the Manganam Mandiram Hospital. 'Balika Mandiram', which was started in 2001 under the leadership and supervision of K. C. Mathew Achen, aims to protect orphaned girls, and give them proper training to equip them for a stable life. Today, the Balika Mandiram serves as a shelter of comfort, offering a new life to many girls who are lonely and left out. Achen was a 'grandpa' to Balika Mandiram inmates. Achen served as the Secretary of the Mandiram until 2014.

K. C. Mathew Achen also served as the Manager of the Aluva UC College from 1993 to 2001, providing valuable leadership. Achen was instrumental in formulating the College’s various developmental programs during the period. The College Auditorium built in connection with the Platinum Jubilee is a notable achievement. Achen's earnest initiatives marked the beginning of the College’s platinum jubilee celebrations.

God blessed Achen with good health, enabling him to execute his responsibilities with utmost honesty. When he fell ill, he was able to transform his sick bed a source of serendipity and hope where he would eventually meet his Lord and Savior in His eternal abode. We pause to celebrate the blessed memory of our dear K. C. Mathew Achen. May that radiant memory never die!